Jared Leto unmasks his sexy muscular torso for Rolling Stone along with thoughts on his drug-fueled youth and Joker predecessor Heath Ledger

He plays the murderous Joker in Suicide Squad, but the man behind the neon green hair and razor-sharp grin has a lot more to offer.

Jared Leto doffed the facade and his shirt to reveal his sexier side for the cover of Rolling Stone magazine.

The 44-year-old actor showed off his bare biceps, chest and abs that were so impressively defined they might have been sculpted out of marble, while clad in just a pair of faded blue jeans.

He's a hunk: Jared Leto went shirtless and showed his sexy and muscular side for the cover of the new Rolling Stone magazine

Jared was pictured with his bearded face turned to the side, long hair slicked back and the tattooed Latin phrase 'Provehito in Altum,' which means 'Launch forth in the depth,' prominent across his right shoulder.

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The actor, who is known for his Method acting style and versatile roles (Dallas Buyers Club, Requiem For A Dream, Fight Club), also shed light on his teen years that involved a bit of drug use and petty thievery.

'My experience with drugs? I did them, lots of them,' Jared told Rolling Stone. 'A lot of them were really fun. There are just those few that tend to kick you in the a*s.

Method actor: The 44-year-old star plays the murderous and jagged toothed Joker in Suicide Squad, which is due out in US theatres on August 5

Risky business: Jared - pictured in character as The Joker - delved into his sketchy teen years of drugs and petty thievery, telling Rolling Stone, 'The risk versus reward is out of line'

'I guess at some point, too, there's a decision: Is this going to be my life? I made a choice to pursue other dreams. I guess that's just the kind of f***ed thing about a lot of drugs:

'The opportunity cost is too high. Some drugs are incredible, but the risk versus reward is out of line. I just saw too many examples of what not to do.'

Leto revealed, in an offhand way, that he was arrested several times and alluded to one long-ago episode 'involving a gun and some cocaine.'

Star presence: The star was back to his handsome self as he joined Suicide Squad co-stars Will Smith and Margot Robbie at Comic-Con International 2016 in San Diego, CA on July 23

Crystal clear: The actor flashed those baby blues while showing off his eclectic style in pink satin jacket

He was skilled as a petty thief only because he could outrun the policee.

'I was always really fast,' Jared said. 'I guess there were some undercover cops at one store, and they came out running after us.

'My friend ran out of steam and kind of slowed down. They grabbed him and threw him to the ground, and I just kept running.

'There are few greater feelings in the world than running from the police and getting away.'

Running with it: Jared - pictured signing autographs - admitted that there were perks about petty thievery too, telling Rolling Stone, 'There are few greater feelings in the world than running from the police and getting away'

Honest impression: Leto shared his thoughts on his Joker predecessor Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight, saying, 'It's one of the best performances ever in cinema...I didn't know him well, but he was a beautiful person'

Jared shared his thoughts on his Joker predecessor, Heath Ledger, who made a bone-chilling metamorphisis into the twisted murderer in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight and died of a prescription pill overdose shortly after filming wrapped.

'Heath did an impeccable, perfect performance as the Joker,' Jared told Rolling Stone. 'It's one of the best performances ever in cinema.

'I had met Heath before. I didn't know him well, but he was a beautiful person.'

'I think had it only been portrayed by Heath and it was never a comic book, maybe I would have felt that would be inappropriate,' he added.

'But I thought that given the history, it was okay. The good thing about other people having done this is that you know what direction not to head in.'

Rock star: The versatile actor is also lead singer for Thirty Seconds To Mars, seen here performing in Puerto Rico in 2014